FreedomWorks backs trio of House candidates

The conservative national group FreedomWorks is backing a trio of House candidates in contested primaries, giving them boosts in their races and creating potential headaches for the GOP establishment.

The Tea Party-aligned group is endorsing Iowa Secretary of State Matt Schultz (R) for retiring Rep. Tom Latham's (R-Iowa) seat, businessman Tommy Moll (R) for the seat Rep. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) is vacating for a Senate bid, and state Rep. Adam Kwasman (R) in his bid to face Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.).

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In a release, FreedomWorks's PAC called the three the "clear choice for limited-government voters looking to preserve economic freedom and rein in Washington's out-of-control spending."

All three face primaries in districts Democrats hope they can contest in the general election, and centrist Republicans have expressed at least some hesitation about some as general-election candidates.

Kirkpatrick is a top GOP target, but establishment Republicans hope Arizona House Speaker Andy Tobin (R) will be their nominee. Moll is facing off against Arkansas state Rep. Bruce Westerman (R), who's better-known in the district, with the winner likely to face former Clinton FEMA director James Lee Witt (D) in the general election. Schultz is one of several candidates running for Latham's swing district.